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VIBGINI A : 

Past and Present. 



BY 



ELIZABETH LEE. 
ii 



RICHMOND: 

EVERETT WADDEY CO., PUBLISHERS. 
1895. 






\X13>U 



& 



DEDICATION 



On the Shrine of American Liberty I lay this 

TRIBUTE : TO THE BRAVE HEARTS WHO WORE 
THE GRAY, AND THOSE WHOSE GARB 

WAS BLUE. 

" Pro Memoria." 



INTRODUCTION 



'T'HE desire of being of some benefit to the rising 

generation, and to bring before them true incidents 

in the lives of many of the noblest and best men and 

women, who " have passed over the river and rest under 

the shade of the trees," has prompted this effort. I offer 

no apology. To-day the counters of our bookstores are 

flooded with literature of all kinds, some of which, to 

say the least, is of doubtful import. To aid, elevate, 

and encourage, is my object. To be the means, however 

humble, of so doing, is the earnest wish and sincere 

prayer of — 

Elizabeth Lee. 



VIRGINIA: PAST AND PRESENT. 



CHAPTER I. 



In a small, old-fashioned house among the red hills of 
Charlotte there came into existence in March, 1794, an 
infant son to a worthy and honored couple — their first 
boy. The life of this child was to its parents, as is that 
of all first-born sons, the pride of a father's and the 
delight of a mother's heart ; so many fond hopes cen- 
tered in the object of their mutual love ; high and noble 
aspirations for its future ; that in him the talent and 
genius of the family might shine out, for in the past 
the name had been noted for its chivalry and noble bear- 
ing. They had landed at an early day at Jamestown, and 
after remaining in that portion of the State a short time 
had ventured further into the then unbroken forests, 
where the Indian was at home on his native soil. Wil- 
liam Lee was of splendid build, strong, athletic, quick, 
and so the stories of his hair-breadth escapes from dan- 
ger were often the admiration of his comrades ; they 
looked up to him as a " leader through the land of diffi- 
culty." No obstacle seemed to be such that he would 
shrink from an undertaking in which they desired the 
knowledge of the country. He was undaunted, and when 
he found what he considered a desirable situation, was 
joined by others in clearing and opening up enough land 
to build their rough cabins and cultivate small farms, and 
thus it happened that the subject of this chapter was 

[9] 



10 Virginia: Past and Present. 

born in the humble cabin in old Charlotte county, one of 
the best and most desirable in after years of the many 
attractive counties of Southside Virginia. Here was the 
home of Patrick Henry, whose name will live while our 
country does ; and here, too, lived Randolph, the most 
remarkable man in many respects of his time, whose 
memory is associated with much of true greatness as well 
as much to excite the feeling of sadness and sorrow, that 
so much of genius should at last had cause to mourn the 
misspent years, as his last moments prove. 

In this happy but confined space, grew up the hero of 
these pages ; left at a very early age an orphan, his 
father dying when he was but an infant ; and left to the 
care and training of an inexperienced and diffident young 
mother, to battle as best she could with the world. 
Alone ! in the great busy world, with only this tie to 
bind her to life ; ah, who can but sympathize with her 
in her sad and lonely lot? Friends few, and far away, 
and those who were related to her boy, and who could 
have rendered her aid, cold and indifferent ; can we 
wonder that a spirit of pride rilled her breast and a de- 
termination to depend on herself without seeking aid 
from her husband's family ; which resolution she for 
some years adhered to ; the boy growing up as fine a 
lad as any mother could desire to call son — handsome, 
intelligent, and educated, as she could teach him. This 
youthful scion of a noble house grew to be perhaps ten 
years of age, when the poor young mother, growing faint 
by the wayside, felt she must look for other help to sustain 
her boy ; not then, as now, could a boy of his attainments 
have made a few dimes a week, or found some kind friend 
who, struck with his manly bearing, would have given 



Virginia : Past and Present. 1 1 

him help. No we can claim nothing as superior to this 
day in that respect, for the " former times were ( not) better 
than these." At length she has to resort to the grand- 
father of her boy. The stern, unsympathetic old gentle- 
man was touched at the sight of his grandson, and feel- 
ing that he must relent, offered them in his own comfort- 
able home a place. The relief was not long enjoyed by 
the mother, but rest was given her who had toiled nobly 
for her boy. She was laid away in a rude grave-yard, 
with only the tears of her desolate darling to bedew her 
last resting-place ; no hand to scatter the lovely violets 
of the spring morning over the lonely mound where her 
tired body was laid down ; but the cold, cruel mound, as 
the poor boy viewed it, left her adorned in its loneliness. 
He never forgot the scene of his first grief, of his lonely 
acquaintance with sorrow. Back with his grandfather he 
went, and now life has a reality to the tender-hearted, 
loving boy, whose young heart was bursting with grief. 
With no mother's hand to wipe away the tears which 
could not be kept back, for hours he felt that his was 
the hardest lot, and the longing to lay beside his mother 
was so great that he wandered off to cry himself to sleep 
beside the cold mound that hid from view all he had 
loved with an intense devotion. Poor lad, could the future 
journey of life there have been unfolded, how your tender 
heart would have been wrung. How merciful in our 
All-Wise Father, that the veil is not withdrawn. Ah, 
how many of us would falter, yea fall, beneath the view. 
The many and severe disappointments of our lives ; the 
changes which fall on us all as our early associations 
pass away. Friendship ! would that the name meant 
what we first believed it, that the hollow mockery of the 



12 Virginia: Past and Present. 

term could not be felt. Those who by ties of nature 
should be our best and tenderest, alienated and their 
love withdrawn for some trivial excuse. Often have I 
wished to revise the meaning (rather the expression in 
some sons and daughters of my experience) of the term. 
Those changes come in life to all, and what a blessed 
privilege we have, whose dependence is felt in the un- 
changing friend. In our sunny years we believe all that 
is bright and joyous is to last ; that our own lot will be 
different from that of those who have gone before; that 
life's joys are real, and loving words of our youth's friends 
will always be the same. In this faith we are happy; 
would it were not a delusion. Those we counted our near- 
est and dearest often are the earliest to leave us, wonder- 
ing at the truth of constancy and affection. Our paths 
diverge, other scenes present themselves ; our school-day 
professions are forgotten, others come into our lives. Thus 
is life. Such is my experience, and I have not " yet at- 
tained to the life of my fathers." 

The subject of this chapter grows up a bright and un- 
daunted youth, with but small opportunities of obtaining 
an education. The Ci old-field schools," as they were then 
called, were not very honorable institutions of learning 
always. The teacher was a tyrant often and the pupils too 
much cowed to take advantage of their opportunities ; 
the birch was freely used, and often unjustly. The youth 
of this generation are far in advance of our sires in this 
respect ; the teacher of to-day superior to those of the 
past in many other ways beside the art of imparting 
knowledge. In Henry Lee, that spark of " Nature's fire " 
which kindled into genius was burning, and the determi- 
nation to obtain an education was firmly implanted to 



Virginia: Past and Present 13 

rise above the surroundings of his early life and make 
for himself a name and position among men. With his 
grandfather the old-fashioned idea, that all boys should 
work and only study when they couldn't work, kept 
Henry back for a time. When only ten years of age, he 
was wakened up at six o'clock in the morning and sent 
to work without his breakfast. Think of that, ye happy 
boys of to-day, who many of you sleep till seven and 
eight in the mornings, then eat your comfortable break- 
fasts before venturing out. This poor lad had that meal 
sent to the field to be eaten on the plough handles or 
seated on the ground. The youth of that generation had 
much to contend with of which you are blissfully igno- 
rant. Henry Lee loved books. They were his dearest 
companions. That was a source of pleasure none could 
take from him, and at night beside a " lightwood fire " 
(pine wood fire-light) he would sit for hours reading, 
and this was the pleasant part of his life for two or three 
years. At the age of fourteen, the grandfather of our 
hero decides to let him have a " little schooling." So when 
the few books then used were collected to set off for 
school, Henry had an easy job. Only Murrays' Grammar, 
an arithmetic, spelling book, and Johnson's Dictionary 
made up his lot of school books. The dream of his life, 
however, seemed about to be realized — he could have the 
advantages of an education. The teacher of this school 
was a man of more than ordinary ability, who himself 
had only a limited education, but study and perseverance 
had improved his mind, and to the humble patrons of the 
school he was a man wondrously wise. He had the gift 
of making himself pleasant and agreeable to the old peo- 
ple, and they believed in him ; that his rules and mandates 



14 Virginia: Past and Present. 

should be obeyed at all times in the school-room was 
the command to the children from the parents. In that 
respect the teacher of that day was, perhaps, better ofT 
than to-day, for " young America " often " wields the wand 
of authority " at home ; his word is the law, and at school 
the teacher dare not array himself, or herself, against the 
wishes of such youths for fear of arousing their anger 
and perhaps discharge from his office. 

Let us be thankful that a better day is dawning for both 
teacher and pupil. Time flies rapidly ; the years come 
and go all too soon. Henry Lee, now seventeen years of 
age, has by the light of his pine knots studied history, 
chemistry, and philosophy ; no instructor to guide, only 
the innate desire to know, to possess knowledge, has filled 
his whole soul ; and if to read and study shall gain the de- 
sired end, nothing shall be left undone on his part. 
During the next year the war of 1812 came on, when he 
was just eighteen, and his mind was filled with the sto- 
ries of wrong and oppression, his breast burning with 
enthusiasm to enlist as a soldier in defence of his coun- 
try. He felt he was now a free man. So, without consult- 
ing his grandfather, he joined the army. The old man, 
not caring to thwart the plans of the boy, consented. He 
achieved a name for valor and bravery that was the ad- 
miration of his command. No hardship was irksome to 
to him ; always ready to act as he was ordered, no wonder 
that he came home honored and respected. After return- 
ing to his native county another thought came into his 
mind, and the most important change in his life took 
place : his resolution to enter the army of the " Great 
Captain of our Salvation," and serve His cause with ardor 
and devotion. No means of attending a theological 



Virginia : Past and Present. 15 

school, we find him purchasing such books as his small in- 
come would allow. A distinguished divine, hearing of his 
wish to prepare himself for the ministry, offered him the 
use of his own well filled library and such counsel as he was 
competent to give in his course. This, then, was his 
school of training. He studied with zeal and earnestness. 
Nothing of an unimportant nature found him absent from 
Mr. R.'s study. After a thorough course of reading such 
books on church history as this period afforded (books 
not so cheap then as now, so that none but the rich owned 
rare and valuable works), he was examined by the Pres- 
bytery of West Hanover. The answers surprised that 
august body. " There were giants in those days " — intel- 
lectual giants. That this youth, with the limited means 
he had, should have pursued a course of study requisite 
for the position he longed to fill ; their close and rigid 
questions, answered with a firm and quiet dignity, un- 
abashed by being surrounded by men whose fame was in 
every State of the Union, and on the delivery of his 
first sermon the ease of manner and singular beauty of 
his voice was a source of still further astonishment. Where 
and by what means had this youth acquired such culti- 
vated tone of voice, thrilling as it did, at times, the au- 
dience assembled on that to him noted occasion ; for this 
was his entrance into that higher and nobler life, where 
he was destined to shine, the soft and persuasive tones of his 
melodious voice often melting the most obdurate to tears? 
Interest in the young man was felt by the best men of 
every profession, and they gave him words of encourage- 
ment he never forgot. Not many months elapsed before 
he was called as pastor to some of the largest and most 
wealthy country churches in this same renowned county, 



16 Virginia: Past and Present. 

where the advantages of associating with men of the 
finest talent of the day was of great help to him. As, in 
the discharge of every duty of his life, he was faithful ; 
so in his new calling, as one " who careth for souls," he 
was singularly blessed. The attractive manner and win- 
ning voice made him an acceptable guest in the homes of 
the high, and always a welcome visitor to the humblest 
roof. His reading was most touching ; especially did the 
reading of the Scriptures impress his hearers, the solem- 
nity of his voice, his distinct utterance, and the humble 
supplication of a Throne of Grace in behalf of the 
wandering sinner all felt and many appreciated. He 
was a means of good wherever he went. Not long did 
he remain in confined limits, but adjoining counties in- 
vited him to come and fill their pulpits. Revivals were 
the order of the day, and many souls were added to the 
church. " They that turn many to righteousness shall 
shine as the stars forever and ever." 

In the county of Lunenburg he met his fate in a beau- 
tiful and attractive young widow with plenty of means, 
one courted and admired by men of wealth and position, 
yet to all she turned a deaf ear except the poor young 
minister. His sincere words of devotion were different 
from those of her other admirers, whose confidence in 
their ability to win her hand was destroyed when they 
came in contact with Henry Lee, at this time one of the 
finest specimens of manhood — tall, commanding, and 
graceful in every movement. He was well calculated to 
win the love and admiration of any refined, intelligent 
woman ; and faithfully and nobly were the vows made 
carried out. The marriage was quietly celebrated in 
her lovely home, witnessed only by a few of their most 



Virginia : Past and Present. 17 

intimate friends, and thus from a life of hardship was 
our hero raised to one of ease ; and here most beautifully 
is his fine character again the admiration of his friends ; 
no self-indulgence is his, but the same unflinching line 
of duty which has always characterized him. No pre- 
tended sanctity, but a deep, abiding faith filled his soul ; 
genuine, frank, forgiving, but with an independence that 
dares " do right," with the fear or dread of no mortal, 
but so to "walk as seeing Him who is invisible," that his 
life should prove "whose he was and whom he served." 
In his new home he had many opportunities of useful- 
ness ; they had hosts of friends as visitors, some among 
them who were addicted to many of the fashionable fol- 
lies and weaknesses of the day — horse-racing, gambling 
(that most debasing crime), cock-fighting (the cruel 
sport so much then indulged in). Against these vices his 
voice was raised from the pulpit, and into the homes as 
he visited his congregation the courage of his convictions 
sustained, laboring in the Master's vineyard ; and many 
of the hardened sinners were won by the gentle, tender 
influence of his counsel and example, and brought into 
the fold " of such as shall be saved." Among the num- 
ber of the new accessions to the church, which from 
being the feeblest in the county became the most influen- 
tial, was Captain S., who was for years the leader in the 
fashionable gayeties of the day, morning often finding his 
guests at the card-table after a night of wine-drinking. 
When the fact was known that he had resolved to give 
up these evil habits, it came as a shock to those who had 
so long indulged at his expense in these sinful occupa- 
tions. His house now became the resting-place of the 
ministers of all denominations, and the future life of the 
2 



18 Virginia : Past and Present. 

man proved the truth of the change. How thankful 
should we be that at this enlightened day such a course 
of life is not encouraged, all right minds tending to- 
wards a nobler and better life. The race-course in this 
honored old county no longer exists ; cock-fighting un- 
known ; gambling, if indulged in at all, kept so secretly 
hidden from the public that its whereabouts are un- 
known ; the grandchildren of those of a former genera- 
tion, who followed these vain practices, filling honored 
positions in Church and State. We are on the road of 
progress ; our beloved old State is honored and respected, 
and let us bear the standard higher. 

Years quickly pass, and their union is blessed with 
children, sons and daughters, committed to their care 
to train for immortality. 




CHAPTER II. 

In this home dwelt the mother of Henry Lee's wife, 
a woman noted for her piety and benevolence ; a Presby- 
terian from conviction, and true to her church. Her wise 
and judicious counsel was of great aid to her son, as her 
affection for him was that of an own mother. She was 
rich and honored ; her presence ever welcome in any 
place — the young revered and loved her ; her sympathy 
and tender words of warning, if they were disposed to 
act indiscreetly, were at once accepted, and only the 
great day will reveal the means of good she was to all 
around her. Her negroes were a source of great distress 
and trouble ; slavery was not to her idea just what it 
should be, and here she shone forth an example in the 
teaching and training of their untutored minds, instruct- 
ing them in religion as well as their work. Among those 
in whom she took special interest was a woman 
whose case is too remarkable to pass unnoticed. " Aunt 
Jenny," as she was called, after listening to the story of 
Jesus of Nazareth, lingered in doubt and fear for many 
days ; at last a sweet peace filled her soul, and she came 
rejoicing to her mistress to tell that her burden of sin had 
fallen away. The conversation was such that all were 
filled with wonder ; this poor, uneducated negro woman, 
sitting beside her mistress and telling in the language of 
an educated woman of her conversion. The matter was 
a source of astonishment, and persons came to the place 
to see and converse with her ; remarking " her language 
was astonishing — no incorrect expression," no darky 

[19] 



20 Virginia: Past and Present. 

words; but it seemed as if she were filled with wisdom 
from above. Her after life proved that the woman was 
a true follower of the Lamb. Her influence with the other 
colored people was worth more than one could believe^ 
unless they had the opportunity of seeing and knowing the 
change made in their mode of living. Their ideas were 
then as now very perverted. The influence of this godly 
woman caused them to live better lives — a higher regard 
for honesty and morality — so that in all the country there 
was no place where the colored population were so highly 
respected, and proud were they of their homes, neat gar- 
dens for every family, hen-houses, and they were per- 
mitted to sell what they wished from their supply ; their 
houses comfortable, with brick chimneys, glass in the 
windows ; flowers some of them planted beside their 
doorway, where the vines shaded them from the heat of 
the sun at mid-day, as they would assemble for dinner, 
each one plentifully provided with bacon and bread. 
The mistake is a very old and widely circulated one, 
that the negro was not fed and clothed. As a general 
thing they were bountifully fed and comfortably clothed. 
There were isolated cases, even in Virginia, where their 
owners were too miserly to properly feed and clothe them, 
but they were censured by all right-minded persons, and in 
one county the neighbors of a man who did not feed his 
negroes told him if he would not feed his hands as he 
ought they would club in and supply them with pro- 
visions. This is a substantial fact ; at this late day I re- 
late it, that our honor in that respect may not be sullied ; 
for to own them and fail to treat them properly would 
be a stain on any people. We who know of the truth of 
their kind treatment are often wounded by the falsity ot 



Virginia: Past and Present. 21 

stories written and published to injure our good name. 
The time has past for such statements to bring about the 
evil once they might have done, and let us thank God 
the cause for so much dissension has been removed in the 
freedom and deliverance of " our brother in black." No 
ultra Abolitionist rejoiced more in this than the writer of 
these pages. They claimed my earliest sympathy, and 
to few persons was I more indebted than my black 
mammy. She was ever my warmest friend and true to 
my best interest ; her counsels and admonitions would 
have done credit to many higher up in life. Tender and 
loving, and to my faults and frailties oblivious, her mem- 
ory will ever remain enshrined in the depths of my 
heart. More of her life will be written of later, when 
the period came upon us that tried the stability of our 
people and shattered and sundered so much that was 
grand and noble. 

The children of Henry Lee were now growing old 
enough to be at school, and having the means in his power 
of educating them, he determined the best advantages 
should be given them. Too young yet to be sent from 
home, private teachers were employed, of whom the first 
was a young divinity student from Northampton, Massa- 
chusetts, gifted then, as now, with men and women of 
the highest order of talent and finest instructors. We 
will follow this young man in his travels, and perhaps 
be amused at the length of time it took him to make the 
trip now so quickly made. Bidding his friends adieu, 
and with many anxious thoughts as to his future, he came 
by rail as far as Richmond, Virginia ; thence by stage 
coach to a country tavern, where is now flourishing the 
town of Blackstone, then called Blacks and Whites, be- 



22 Virginia: Past and Present. 

cause of being settled by men bearing those names. At 
this point he had to hire a horse to make the balance of 
the journey, a distance of twenty miles perhaps. It was 
in the autumn of 1S42 that a pale, slender traveller might 
have been seen wending his way through the dense forest 
of a fine Virginia plantation. It was near nightfall, and 
our traveller having had a tedious day's travel, is taking 
the latter part of the journey leisurely. Before he is 
aware of the fact darkness has settled over the "stranger 
in a strange land." This of itself is no incentive to pleas- 
ant thoughts. The faithful animal, too, is now showing 
sings of weariness. Resolving to give the horse his own 
course, and not try to guide, " whither he knows not," he 
looks at the situation and takes it calmly. No use com- 
plaining, no one to blame, and now so dark that but for 
the beams of the kindly stars he could not even see the 
road. Ere long, however, the light of a full moon be- 
gins to shed her rays over the scene, and never were her 
beneficent beams more welcome to a careworn son of 
earth. In the distance he sees lights gleaming from the 
windows ; and as he rides up the long avenue leading to 
the stately old mansion he wonders how he will be re- 
ceived. The fine old oaks, chesnuts, and elms and forest 
trees of other kinds bordered the long approach on either 
side from the " big gate " to the front door. As he dis- 
mounts in front of the house the horse-rack near by is 
seen, and to this his black steed is hitched till he is cared 
for by a servant. The front door stands wide open, em- 
blem of the warm-hearted hospitality of the inmates of 
that delightful home. Knocking, he is at once received 
in the kindest manner by the host, being ushered into the 
family sitting-room and introduced to the household, 



Virginia : Past and Present. 23 

seated by a comfortable fire. He soon feels somewhat 
relieved. The dismal thoughts of the past few hours 
vanish he feels he is not among a cold-hearted people, 
but those who will make his life a pleasant and agreeable 
one. He hears the sound of the tea bell with emotions 
of pleasure. Tired and hungry, as he is, we will follow 
him into the fine old dining-room, sure are we of justice 
being done to the appetizing supper. Hot rolls, delicious 
biscuits, cakes, butter, honey, and ham, which only a Vir- 
ginia housekeeper can place on her table (none can com- 
pare with the Virginia-cured ham, they are world-re- 
nowned), hot coffee, delicious milk, and attentive ser- 
vants to wait on the table, our Yankee friend rises from 
such a meal in rather better state of mind than he 
went into the room with. After tea they enter into a 
pleasant conversation, which is kept up till the hour for 
retiring. The white-haired grandmother attracts his at- 
tention, and in her presence he feels at home. That be- 
nevolent face is an index of the mind. Ah, if there were 
more of these saintly women to-day would not our land be 
blessed ! She had become sanctified through affliction ; 
her heart beat warmly towards the young man, so far sep- 
arated from his loved ones, and true indeed was she to him. 
A holy and tender expression beamed from her counte- 
nance. Such influence and example is a benediction to any 
house ; and the words of tender warning and entreaty she 
uttered to many youths is still remembered by the heads 
now hoary ; and so a good man or woman lives. The seed 
for usefulness sown by them do not die, but though they 
may lie dormant for years, they will burst forth at last 
into a beauty undying, for " truth is eternal." 

This evening is Saturday — a preparation day in this 



24 Virginia : Past and Present. 

family for the Sabbath. The Sabbath school lessons are 
prepared, texts of Scripture committed to memory — a 
much more difficult task than you of to-day encounter 
in your beautiful lesson papers, which are attractive ; 
while our lessons were in books, some of which had no 
pictures at all, but questions to be studied from the 
Bible, and it took a pretty good theologian to anwer the 
questions ; then the long, hard answers to the Longer 
Catechism, which you think altogether too hard, or en- 
tirely unimportant. A Sunday lesson of fifty years ago 
was very different from to-day, and yet the children 
learned and were interested. Our Yankee friend is called 
on to lead in family worship — in a trusting and humble 
spirit, appreciating the feeling that brings out much of 
what is true and real in our characters. The bonds of 
Christian love are thus united. How it opens up our 
hearts to feel " in Him we are all one." With the " good- 
night" said (as was always the custom in old times) his 
host takes him to his own room ; he is not sent, conducted 
by a servant, but the truly hospitable host of that time 
always went with a stranger to his sleeping apartment. 
A cozy fire and lighted wax candle cause a homelike 
feeling. Being left alone, he speedily prepares for retiring, 
committing himself to the care of " Him who never 
slumbers." He is soon in the land of dreams. We will 
leave him to enjoy the much-needed repose, and follow 
the sainted old lady to her room. She truly belonged to 
the class " who think no evil," and one, I fear, fast passing 
away. Her heart was filled with charity to all, of what- 
ever race or position ; to the slaves owned by the family 
she is an " angel of mercy." Their temporal wants were 
liberally provided for ; but an awful sense of responsi- 



Virginia: Past and Present. 25 

bility as to the training of these souls for eternity bur- 
dened her soul, and for years she had made it a practice 
to talk to them on this subject. Here again her influence 
has not departed, for the descendants of her negroes oc- 
cupy high positions in many of the States, respected for 
their high sense of honor, intelligence and morality. Ah ! 
the sigh will escape me. Had all of us been equally 
faithful in this respect we would not have cause to regret 
" wasted opportunities." A sad retrospect, the souls we 
may have taught the " way of life." We let the spring- 
time pass, the seed not sown, the harvest in summer not 
gathered, and all is lost forever. The night is spent in 
refreshing sleep, and our Yankee friend, whom I shall 
call Mr. L., rises much invigorated. The calm, peaceful 
light of the Holy Sabbath, the tinkle of the sheep bell as 
they are turned into the pasture, brings into his mind a 
train of thought — " My sheep hear My voice." Had he 
not heard that voice bidding him go forth and lead 
others in the way of light? Here on this large plantation 
was ample work, and the determination to endeavor to 
lead some soul to Christ was his earnest wish. The time 
for family prayer summons each one by the ringing of 
what we all called the " prayer bell," for its tone and 
dimensions were different from the dining-room bell ; and 
this service over, each one was ready for the Sunday 
morning breakfast. 



CHAPTER III. 

In this household religion was an every-day matter ; 
the elderly members of the family brought it into their 
daily actions ; its restraints and influence was felt by all. 
The Sabbath was a day to be sanctified, to be spent ac- 
cording to the command "kept holy from worldly em- 
ployment " ; the servants were taught the " way of life " — 
a regular day for their preaching. In this, again, the 
noble and exalted character of Henry Lee was brought 
out — he preached to them. They assembled in the grove, 
or, if the weather was cold, in the house, where they 
would listen with intense interest to the sermon and join 
in singing the hymns, which were read line by line to 
them. On this beautiful autumnal morning they were 
to attend the usual monthly church service. The church 
some distance off, they prepare to leave home early, so as 
no undue haste to get to church in time is thought of; 
not like some of the descendants of those simple, devout 
people, who wait till the last moment and rush into 
church with the manner of people who imagine they are 
conferring a favor on the minister and congregation for 
coming at all. Dear old church ! thy crumbling walls 
are associated with the noblest and purest of the past; 
shall they cease to be remembered? Nay, verily; let us 
honor and cherish them. The subject of this Sabbath's 
discourse is on forgiveness — " Forgive us our debts as we 
forgive our debtors." Sublime theme, wonderful indeed 
for fallen man. Henry Lee does so plainly and truly 
point out our duty to our fellow-men that in the congre- 

[26] 



Virginia : Past and Present. 27 

gration one woman, a lovely and much admired person, 
feels the truth so sensibly that she went to her home, 
wrote a lenghty letter, and sent to him a handsome me- 
mento, saying she felt more impressed than ever in her 
life before, and saw her duty in a very different light. 
This country congregation was a highly refined and cul- 
tivated people. Mr. L., our Yankee friend, is not made 
to feel uncomfortable by the vulgar stare of curiosity ; in 
a position to enjoy the sermon and feel at ease. Many 
lovely and beautiful girls gathered at these services, and 
to-day Mr. L. is much attracted by the sweet face and 
fine form of Mary Carr, whose intelligence and attrac- 
tive manners had won her many friends and ardent ad- 
mirers. They in after years became friends, and only a 
trivial circumstance prevented their marriage. She, de- 
voted to his memory, never married, and the last ever 
heard of him he, too, was single. How happy they 
might have been but for a false prejudice. Peace to them 
and bliss hereafter. 

A Sunday Presbyterian dinner fifty years ago was far 
from being as the modern Sunday dinner. Cold meats, 
bread, and only in winter hot coffee or tea, was to be seen 
on our tables ; or whatever we had in the way of des- 
serts was cold, and how enjoyable we found such dinners. 
They were the rule, not exception. The family at Lee 
Hall, on these days, dispersed to their different rooms 
for reading and meditation till the hour for the childrens' 
catechism, which was to be prepared for the next Sab- 
bath. Then the service for the colored people, who al- 
ways came promptly at the appointed hour neatly dressed 
in their ' Sunday clothes " — for the women in summer 
calico, and in winter a woolen-Linsey woven at home, 



28 Virginia: Past and Present. 

far neater than what we now have in most country 
stores ; the men in black or brown jeans woolen, also 
made at home ; neat shoes, hats, and shawls, and often for 
the men, especially those whose occupation caused ex- 
posure, heavy home-woven overcoats. Raising large flocks 
of sheep, plenty of wheels and looms made each house- 
hold independent. After such services the more intel- 
ligent ones were questioned as to what they could remem- 
ber about the sermon. There was never a failure on the 
part of two. of the most important men to repeat not 
only the text, but large portions of the sermon, such won- 
derful memory did they have. The center of attraction 
was the woman of whom I have spoken, " Aunt Jenny, " 
who was rolled in her chair when so bad off with rheu- 
matism she could not walk, by taking the chair in front 
and hobbling to her place. Her joy in being called on 
for her expression of the truth was unbounded, her dark 
countenance, lighted up with a beam of heavenly light 
fresh from the altar of God's own love, could but be 
impressed on all around her. And as she would be car- 
ried to her own home, the group in her cabin listened 
with awe and wonder to her words. The influence of 
religion, refining arid elevating in its character, was here 
so plainly visible that the enlightened and cultivated 
lady or gentlemen were never caused to blush by any 
coarse or unrefined language. Her house was a model of 
neatness ; nice feather beds ; then the colored woman's 
idea of bliss for a resting or sleeping bed, white coun- 
terpaine and pillow cases, such as the white people used ; 
chairs, table, and candlestand ; every thing so orderly 
and clean, always and on every occasion. All her 
wants supplied, and the affection she showed for her 



Virginia : Past and Present. 29 

mistress was beautiful to witness. This confidence re- 
mained unshaken during their lives. To-day they walk 
together the "streets of the city." Who knows with 
what joy the humble servant greeted the coming of her 
former mistress. The memory of such lives sheds a fra- 
grance on the after years of all who are so fortunate as to 
have experienced it, and such inheritance the richest 
that can descend on children. Gold perishes ; riches take to 
themselves wings and fly away. Not so with this legacy ; 
this is of eternal duration. The pressure of to-day is too 
great on us, and in some respects we are retrograding. 
Are we as faithful to our duty as in the past ? We are 
inclined to feel that we are " out of date," and fear to 
impose our thoughts on this generation ; yet in many 
things we are right in our judgment. Our friend Mr. L. 
becomes much interested in the colored people on the 
place, and his visits to " Aunt Jenny's" cabin are blessed 
to himself as well as all who come under his instructions. 
In one of his visits to the cabin to read and talk to this 
child of God, he asked her to tell him of her early life, 
and as the story is told to him we relate it : 

AUNT JENNY'S STORY. 

I was about ten years old, I suppose, when my old 
master died. In his will he gave away to the different 
children us colored people, in families; would not sepa- 
rate us on account of so many of us being related. It fell 
to my lot to belong to Miss Polly — a sweeter, purer 
mortal never lived, as you know yourself, for she is my 
old mistress in the house yonder to-day. She was young 
and pretty, and many young men tried to marry her, but 
she did not care to leave her mother all alone, as all the 



30 Virginia: Past and Present. 

other children were married and settled off to themselves ; 
but after a few years she went on a visit to a cousin in 
one of the lower counties, and when she came back home 
the neatest, nicest gentleman came with her, riding in 
his fine gig, with a big bay horse, and his waitman, Jerry, 
riding on another fine horse. I can remember all about 
his first visit. We all could see Miss Polly fancied him. 
He was one of the big statesmen, so they told us colored 
ones, and had a fine plantation and heap of colored folks ; 
so what better could she do, and in the course of a year 
she married him and moved away, bringing me and all 
my father's family — a big lot of us there was too — five 
wagons to move us and our plunder, besides her things 
in other wagons ; it was a sight to see the line of wagons 
going on from day to day till we reached our journey's 
end. It was just before dark when we got to our final stop, 
and the big house was all lighted up, music and dancing 
going on, for master and Miss Polly got there long time 
before we did. After we had our supper — and a fine one it 
was too, for tables were set out in the yard for the servants, 
and it took a big lot to feed three hundred mouths ; you 
may know all the nice things from the white folks' table 
were sent out — cakes big and little, custard, pies, and 
the barbecued pig, mutton, and every meat the country 
knew about was on that table — marster said we had to 
rejoice with him on bringing such a pretty bride into his 
home. He was a widower, before he married our pretty 
mistress, with one daughter, a pretty brown-eyed little 
girl named Polly, too, as bright and sweet a little thing 
as you ever saw, and just about the age of the little girl 
at the house now. Well, we were as well treated, and 
loved our white folks as any people could be. We would 



Virginia: Past and Present. 31 

have died for our mistress. All of us looked up to her as 
our best friend. Every day we had our work hours ; us 
girls who stayed in the house always had one hour allowed 
for each meal, and plenty time to play and romp did we 
take. No overseer was allowed to come in the yard ; their 
business was to look after the out-hands, and marster did 
not allow overseers to whip his folks neither. Our colored 
folks was known by everybody as " the stuck-up nig- 
gers " from Pittsylvania county; we had seen so much 
more of the world, and had better sense than they did, 
for some of them did not know the way ten miles from 
home, and we had travelled 500 miles to get here. We 
were proud of what we had seen, and loved to talk about 
crossing the big river in the boat, and how some folks 
were drowned right where we crossed. 

Son, see my old flax wheel in the corner there ? I begin 
to feel like I would love to work as I did in that time ; so 
long have my poor crippled hands been down with the 
rheumatism that I can't use them as I once did, and my 
wheel that was once so busy stands there like myself, 
idle. If you could turn the wheel and ply the treadle as 
I once did, it would sing you a happy, joyous song, sir ; 
if it could tell its experience it would make you cry, for 
it came, too, with us when we moved down here, and has 
been with us in all our troubles and pleasures. When 
mistress used it herself at the big house she was so happy 
and light-hearted she did not know of the dark cloud 
that was soon to overcast her home. Her full heart and 
beaming eye would have shown a different way from 
what it did. She was the life and light of the place. No 
one ever heard her utter an unkind word or scold her 
folks. Her husband was her pride, her heart's delight, and 



32 Virginia: Past and Present. 

when he would have to go to the big city where they 
make laws she would grieve, for it was so far from home 
and she did not love to travel much. She would have her 
friends to stay with her in his absence, and once when 
she heard he was sick she had the gig hitched up and 
travelled night and day to get to the boat in time. When 
she got to him he was improving, and she stayed till they 
could bring him home, He never got over the spell, and 
her poor heart would grieve as she saw, day by day, how 
he got weaker and weaker. He called to mistress one 
day and told her to bring the little girls to his bedside. 
He talked to the oldest, but the tiny baby could only gaze 
at her father and smile. I was her nurse, and standing by 
heard his charge to mistress about their little ones. Oh, 
sir, I cried ; my white apron was so wet from wiping away 
the tears that I had to pull it off to dry. I never can for- 
get that day. It is a solemn thing, if you have never 
passed through such times as these yourself, to stand on 
the very borders of eternity. You can almost fancy you 
see beyond and know where our friends are going. 
David and Orange were called at master's request, and 
those two old black men you see every day bowed down 
to hear master's whisper as to what they should do after 
he was gone. He made them promise they would never 
leave mistress, but stand by her as long as she lived. 
And oh, sir, black as we are, we would have suffered any- 
thing before we would have broken our word to our good 
master, who believed in us. 

After this marster was too feeble to talk much, but 
he said he wanted mistress to stay right beside him till 
the breath left his body; said, " I want to die with my 
arms around your neck." I can't help crying now when 



Virginia : Past and Present. 33 

I go over that sorrowful time, for us black folks did love 
our. white people; we have always been well treated, 
and have sense enough to know when we are well off. 
Why, sir, you never hear of any of our black ones living 
in the woods " runaways." We don't have to run from 
home. Our folks don't believe in whipping their ser- 
vants to make them do right. We have had teaching 
and training since the oldest of us can remember. None 
of our black people have to steal ; we have our own sup- 
plies for every week in every house ; all of us have good 
gardens, plenty of eggs, chickens, and fruit. We. hear 
of other folks running off — can't live at home. Well, 
home is the place for me. What would become of me, 
poor and crippled up as I am, if it was not for our white 
folks. Every morning my cup of hot coffee, buttered 
roll, and whatever our white folks have on the breakfast 
table, part is sent to me. The little children love to bring, 
me things, and come and stay for hours with me to have 
stories of old times, when their mama was a child and I 
her nurse. After our marster died we all felt broke up, 
and if our mistress had not been the good, sensible woman 
she is, we all would have missed marster more ; but she 
managed as near like he did as she could, and so when 
our young mistress married and came so far down the 
country, we had another break-up, and part of us followed 
her ; some stayed with mistress at the old home till she 
got ready to come to her daughter's home, where we have 
all lived together for many years. We will not be parted 
again, for mistress does not intend us to belong to any- 
body else, but we are to have our freedom papers in her 
will. She don't believe in the way some colored folks are 
treated by their owners, and that is the reason she don't 
3 



34 Virginia : Past and Present. 

intend us to fall into other hands. You say the children 
told you to get me to tell about the "stars falling." Oh ! 
sir, it makes me almost tremble now when I think of that 
morning. We used to get up soon to make fires, sweep, 
and bring fresh water from the spring before the white 
folks got up. Well, that morning some of the older peo- 
ple woke sooner than common, and when Dave opened 
the door to look out to see what time it was by the stars 
he hallowed out loud as he could : " De stars is falling and 
de great day is done come on us unawares." Then you 
never did hear the like of the screaming, shouting, and 
crying to the Lord to have mercy on our souls ; every one 
running about the houses ; we were afraid to go out in 
the yard for fear he would be hit and burnt up. After 
a while one old man came to his senses and peeped out 
of the door to see what was going on, and daylight was 
dawning and only a few stars, now and then, falling ; so 
we got over our scare and went and told the white folks. 
They were so sorry we did not wake them all up to see 
that awful sight. 

After the old woman got through with her story 
Mr. L. proposed to read her a chapter from his Bible, 
which he usually carried in his pocket when walking 
around the plantation. She gladly listened to his voice 
as he read with much tenderness and beauty the story of 
the " Prodigal Son." Her comments on this struck Mr. L. 
with such force that he took them down in his note-book. 
" Yes, we are all wanderers from our Father, and are try- 
ing to find something to take the place of the true end 
we should have in view ; but all at once we hear our 
Master's voice calling to his wandering ones to ' come 
home,' and he get up and fly away from the habits of 



Virginia : Past and Present. 35 

sin and the snares of the devil, and can't rest till we get 
to the very foot of the cross, where our Lord meets us 
and tells us to sin no more — to come to the arms of 
love and mercy." Mr. L. prayed with this true and 
ardent spirit, and felt he had indeed ministered in holy 
things to the Lord's chosen one. A sweet feeling of 
peace and gratitude filled his soul ; he had given the 
"cup of cold water to one of these little ones." Mr. L. 
felt impressed with the interview with this humble ser- 
vant of God ; and how different the idea now in his mind 
of the treatment of the " negro down South." Here in 
this cabin was a woman who, though she could neither 
read or write, used the language of an educated person ; 
but he found to be true that where the owners were peo- 
ple of refinement and education their servants were 
trained and taught to use good language, and their man- 
ners were astonishing to a " Down Easter," for people of 
the great love of imitation they possessed copied the 
manners of their own white people. This habit of imi- 
tation was a wonderful means of knowledge to them, for 
I have in perfect remembrance a servant girl who learned 
to play and sing the pieces the girls learned at school, 
and in this school there were girls who would pay her to 
play over their pieces while they read or seated them- 
selves in a comfortable easy-chair to loll a hot summer 
afternoon. If the sound of footsteps were heard approach- 
ing the music-room, our colored friend would spring with 
the agility of a cat from the window. The feeling of de- 
pendence on this girl was so great that the girls would 
have her to assist in preparing their lessons. She was 
wonderfully bright and intelligent, and so very much at- 
tached to the school girls there was nothing she would 



36 Virginia : Past and Present. 

not attempt to do for them. This is a true picture — one 
of my own experience and not at all highly drawn. The 
feeling that prevailed among our Northern friends that 
there was nothing but the most abject fear entertained by 
these people to their owners was a most mistaken one — 
they were an affectionate and warm-hearted race, and their 
conduct, when suddenly given their freedom, was such 
as to command the admiration of the world. Think of 
it ; a people who had never known anything else but servi- 
tude, to be as it were freed from a cage of confinement and 
launched out upon the broad expanse of freedom — a free- 
dom which knows no bounds — instead of exulting and 
taunting speeches to their former owners, the most re- 
spectful manner and the same attention to their duties ; 
they loved home and home people, and desired no new 
thing in the way of friendship. 

In his Virginia home Mr. L. found many things to oc- 
cupy his leisure hours. The plantation life was new 
and novel. He loved to walk or ride horseback, and the 
afternoons were often spent in riding around the farm, 
the hands at work, and the merry laughter heard, as they 
would pull the corn and toss it in piles to be gathered up 
by the wagons. Their light-hearted gayety at all times was 
to him a matter of study. No care, no thought for the 
future, bothered their unlettered minds. Food and rai- 
ment provided, what else had they to worry over? The 
" corn-shucking " time was a grand jubilee, and the shouts 
and songs, as they would attract the attention of the 
neighboring hands, calling them to the "shucking," could 
be heard on the still autumn evening for more than a 
mile. They would collect around the " big pile " in front 
of the crib door, so as to throw in as they shucked it. 



Virginia : Past and Present. 37 

When the last ear was thrown in they would often have 
a dance and big supper in honor of the final winding up, 
and at one of these suppers Mr. L. was asked if he was 
surprised and amused at the show of bacon and cabbage, 
for the hour was ten at night, beside this a variety of 
meats, shoat, opossum, and plenty of sweet potatoes and 
cider. They were extremely polite and respectful to the 
white people who would come out to witness the festivi- 
ties, and the best the table afforded was first offered them, 
which, if accepted, was a source of pride and pleasure. 
This was a new feature of their character to Mr. L., who 
could but believe in their contented and happy life. No 
cares for the future to bother or annoy, and peaceable 
among themselves, it was a rare thing to hear of disputes 
and quarrels among them, far more so than since they 
have been freed. There is a spirit of envy and jealousy 
that it seems impossible to eradicate if one has more of 
this world's goods than the other, and they are prone to 
take advantage of each other. The courts are often 
flooded with the complaints of the freedman against his 
brother. It is a mark of distinction with some of them 
to have a "case in court." 



CHAPTER IV. 

My intention is not to write much of a Love story just 
here; but as in a former chapter I mentioned the interest 
Mr. L. seemed to feel in Mary Carr, I will not pass this por- 
tion of his life unnoticed. On one Friday afternoon after 
the duties of the week were over he set out for the home 
of Mrs. C, some distance off in the country, and a pleas- 
ant ride of three hours brings him to " Wood End," a 
modest cottage of six rooms situated in a lovely grove of 
fine oaks, where, about this hour of the evening, the fam- 
ily were usually walking in the grove or riding. On this 
occasion they were in the garden, where were blooming 
a few late roses, and Mary Carr was gathering these for 
the vases. She blushed as he entered the garden, so un- 
expected was his appearance. He also blushed at seeing 
her confused, approached, and offered his hand, which 
she shook warmly, and invited him to be seated in the 
summer-house, while she should gather up her flowers. 
He declined with thanks the invitation to be seated, and 
offered to aid her in taking her roses to the house. Ah, 
the same old story of love (which will live as long as our 
hearts can feel that sweet emotion) is told as the roses are 
arranged in the vases, and each feels that in the other 
they can confide. No idea of the objection of her mother 
presents itself to the pure and dutiful girl. Loving her mo- 
ther with a singular devotion, nothing could enter her 
mind that should not be sanctioned by her mother, who 
was a type of the Virginia matron of that day, one whom 
all loved to honor, and in her conversation every one in- 

[38] 



Virginia : Past and Present. 39 

terested. Highly cultured, and with a mind superior to al- 
most any other of her sex, she was well fitted to train and 
educate her children, which she had undertaken to do at 
home. Of one of the oldest and best families in the State, 
she was an acknowledged belle. Her beauty was fasci- 
nating, but far above the loveliness of face and form 
shone the attractive mind ; of the finest and most engaging 
manner, all delighted to be called her friends. Her house 
was the abode of peace and gentleness — the very atmos- 
phere was different, so much was her life devoted to kind 
deeds, and her crown will shine, too, with the souls 
born to the truth by her precept and example. Her life 
was deeply religious. An incident of her early youth was 
never forgotten — the narrow escape from losing her life 
in the Theatre, which was destroyed by fire in 1811, at 
which time so much of the beauty and chivalry of Rich- 
mond found fiery graves. Her heart was seriously im- 
pressed, and the vanities and gayeties of the world were 
given up, and the beginning of a Christian life entered 
upon at once. Dr. John H. Rice, of sainted memory, was 
the pastor of the church she attended, and she held with 
him important converse, which resulted in her becoming 
a member of his church. I have spoken of her beauty 
and attractiveness ; many were her admirers, and she be- 
came very much attached to a young foreigner, handsome 
and witty, with no religious faith. They were wed, and 
her house in Richmond city was the center of attraction 
for the gay and fashionable throng of the day. Her 
finely cultivated mind, filled with rich stores of knowl- 
edge, could draw from any company of brilliant people 
admiration and pleasure. On uniting with the church 
she resolved to give up her worldly Hfe, and here again 



40 Virginia: Past and Present. 

her character comes out in its loveliest light. Her 
heart and mind were united in the resolution to set the 
example of holiness to her gay and thoughtless friends. 
It was not with her, as with many, a slow case of re- 
nouncing the world and worldly things, but the heart 
being right, an easy matter it was to change at once her 
mode of life ; and now again her influence was blessed. 
Eternity alone will reveal the good her godly life, saintly 
conversation, and tender chiding exerted on her associates. 
The sigh will escape as I remember this lovely and beau- 
tiful life, although more than four-score passed away all 
too soon. Dear old Wood End ! The grand old oaks we 
all left to mark the spot where once you stood, they stand 
like silent sentinels, casting their shadows over the sacred 
spot where once mingled many of the best of Virginia's 
sons and daughters. 

The inheritance is a noble one, and should be cherished 
as such, and descend to future generations. We are too 
much the people of to-day ; the race for wealth has 
blunted much that we might have encouraged. Let our 
children know that Virginia hospitality means not the 
extravagant abundance we may be able to afford, but 
that which makes each one feel a welcome guest and 
comfortable and happy under our roof. We have always 
been noted for our attention to the " stranger in the gate." 
True, we of to-day have advantages our grandparents had 
not; yet, are we better than they? Are we striving after 
knowledge? Are we filled with kind and charitable 
feelings ? If called on for my own experience, I could not 
say that we are superior. They have all passed away, but 
their memory is embalmed in the hearts of those so for- 
tunate as to have been trained by such exalted and pure 



Virginia: Past and Present. 41 

lives. In this quiet country cottage often assembled dis- 
tinguished men — D. D.'s in the Presbyterian Church, 
Episcopal bishops who, with their brilliant intellect and 
unpretending manner, attracted the little child as well as 
the older heads. The Great Day alone will reveal the 
good done by the " elect lady " of that hallowed spot ; 
her sympathy with the poor, the bereaved and afflicted 
one ; her generous acts of kindness to those in need ; her 
earnest words of entreaty to the ignorant and misguided, 
trying to lead them in the right way ; that influence can 
never be lost — it lives and will live. The strict attention 
to her slaves, their religious training, and the conscien- 
tious discharge of every duty owed them, was faithfully 
fulfilled. They call her " blessed," and who shall say 
the number of souls won for Christ by this earnest Chris- 
tian woman. Among the lowly blacks on her own farm — 
on others, also — wherever she went she lost no oppor- 
tunity of doing good? Do we of to-day seek the means 
of benefiting those around us? Are we endeavoring to 
raise and elevate our colored friends? There is much we 
owe them, and if only this were our motive, to aid them, 
we should be up and at work. But a far greater respon- 
sibility rests on us : they are here for us to help forward. 
" Onward and upward." Let us to this end strain every 
nerve, so that we be not "found wanting" in this great 
and laudable endeavor. True, in many instances they 
think our help is now unneeded ; but wherever they have 
felt the tie of former years, they are easily led and thank- 
fully appreciate every effort they believe to be sincere. 
The example of our fathers and mothers should be revered, 
and we should follow their footsteps in this line of raising 
those who were placed under our care, and sustaining 



42 Virginia : Past and Present. 

them in the right. The dews of Heaven have for years 
fallen on the resting-places of those who taught us our 
duty to " our brothers in black," but the seeds sown are 
bringing forth fruit, and will continue to flourish as long 
as the race exists, for no good can die — it is immortal. 
" Train up a child in the way he should go." The prom- 
ise remains the same. Wherever they have had the proper 
home instruction and example their lives show it. The 
Sabbath regulation and exercises are remembered and 
revered — that day called "The Holy of the Lord, Hon- 
orable." Ah ! how differently spent in this progressive 
age. I had rather be the means of arousing our people 
to a right sense of our obligation in this respect than to 
have " stores of wealth." When I look back and see 
those who were observant of the day now honored men 
and women, and those who disregarded its holy hours not 
among the prosperous, it cannot be considered remark- 
able that I desire our youth to honor the old paths. Cast 
no sneer on them, for they are safe because right. 




CHAPTER V. 

Time flies, and the years pass so speedily we are old 
and gray-haired before we realize it. Our Yankee school 
teacher, who so truly loved and was beloved by the sweet 
and lovely Mary Carr, finds his suit not approved by the 
aristocratic mother ; so their fond hopes were blasted, 
and his attention centered more than ever on his studies. 
The children of Henry Lee, who had been his pupils for 
years, were now ready to enter college, and his term of 
service having expired, he returned to his Northern home. 
His life had been a means of great usefulness with the 
youth under his tuition ; of a superior mind, he could at- 
tract them, and at times there was an awful solemnity 
about his manner, which caused the younger children to 
dread his disapproval ; a life pure and untarnished was 
his, the object of which was to be of benefit to all with 
whom he came in contact. The day he bade farewell to 
his Virginia friends was a sad one ; tears flowed freely 
from the eyes of the family to whom he had become so 
dear, and the colored people all came up to " shake hands " 
with " Mr. Lyman " before he left. To his Northern 
home and friends he carried a far different account of 
" Life in the South " from what they had been taught to 
believe was real. We of the South have almost as great 
a responsibility resting on us as in the days of slavery, 
and most earnestly and prayerfully should we strive to 
act up to our duty. 

Their religious education, especially, needs our atten- 
tion and earnest efforts to advance and improve their 

[43] 



44 



Virginia: Past and Present. 



ideas ; though where they have had collegiate advantages 
their improvement has been marked, yet in many the 
old superstitions still linger, as to "sight-seeing." When 
" brought through," as they call conversion, one old darky 
sister told her former mistress that she visited the " lower 
regions." When asked if she saw any of her friends there, 
she seemed delighted to say she did ; and among the 
number a white man she had known. She was asked 
what he was engaged in. Her reply was: "The last time I 
see him he was stirring a pot of greens " ; so to her mind 
the situation was not so serious. 




CHAPTER VI. 

The years flit by all too swiftly, and those who were 
taught by Mr. Lyman are now grown men and women, 
all engaged in life's duties. The honorable profession of 
law claimed several of his students ; some the practice 
of medicine ; few of them turned their attention to " till- 
ing the soil," while the girls grow up and become use- 
ful women. The year 1859 was a glorious one for us; 
our barns " filled with plenty " and coffers " running 
over." What need for more? Yet in the distance are 
heard the mutterings of the thunder of discord which is 
to continue till our once peaceful and happy land be- 
comes the scene of a war between the States too terri- 
ble to contemplate, and when in the autumn of that year 
John Brown made his famous raid, " the gauntlet was 
thrown down," and henceforth the strife. The cooler and 
more sober-minded, those who knew what such a conflict 
meant, deplored the state of affairs. Their wish and desire 
was for harmony and peace; that our troubles and diffi- 
culties be settled by our own government, without a dis- 
solution of our grand and glorious union ; but those who 
knew not the meaning of such a cause, heated with anger 
and malice, resolved on taking the reins of government 
into their own hands and withdraw from the honored 
confederation of States, to establish which had cost us 
years of war and hardships. Every schoolboy can relate 
of Washington's campaign. 

The year i860 dawned as peacefully and quietly as a 
Sabbath morning, but early during that year heated po- 
litical discussions took place over the country North 

[45j 



46 Virginia : Past and Present, 

and South ; the time was fast approaching when our 
"songs of joy " should be turned to grief, and the happy- 
reunions of friends only remembered as a "dream of the 
past." Our nearest and dearest severed from us by dif- 
ferences of opinion as to our rights, the relentless " hand 
of fate " has ever been busy wounding and causing to 
bleed some heart, for some who knew not what was best. 
The union had existed long enough, and for both sides a 
dissolution would be wise. The warm-hearted patriot 
shuddered at such utterance, and thought those ideas 
should be crushed at once, but not so ; they grew in num- 
bers too rapidly to be easily suppressed. Ah, could the 
carnage have been " seen from afar " the sufferings of 
noble men and women might have been avoided. We 
were too self-reliant, u our peace had flown like a river." 
We could not believe our glorious country could ever be 
the battle-ground of her own children — brother against 
brother, father against son. The last election held before 
the war, was a most exciting one, the hearts of all true 
men and women were filled with dread, none more so 
than Henry Lee, whose ancestors had fought during the 
Revolution, and he himself later. Can we wonder at the 
spirit of indignation that filled his mind when on all 
sides he heard the boastful words of the " fire-eating " 
element, that " this accursed union," as it was called, 
should be severed in twain? We were a happy, pros- 
perous people ; our " flag " honored by all nations. Were 
we becoming too proud, too full of our own greatness, 
that this " cruel four years' war " was all that could hum- 
ble us into the dust of contrition ? With what keen anx- 
iety the mind of this true patriot scanned the future ; to 
the best interests of his country was he devoted. He did 



Virginia: Past and -Present. 47 

not believe there could be found a force large enough to 
break down our solid walls of union and strength, for 
where there is union is it not mighty enough to overcome 
difficulties ! The time had come to " try men's souls " ; 
the days passed wearily by, and the papers, filled with ex- 
citing speeches from both political parties, were read 
eagerly in all portions. The wise, conservative heads were 
shaken as they read and predicted what the future should 
bring. Were we to plunge headlong into a " dissolution 
of the union " ? Our annual season of rejoicing, that sea- 
son which celebrates the "glad tidings of great joy," was 
approaching, and we prepared as usual for our festivals, 
dinings, teas, etc. Ah, could we have known it was 
the last many of us would ever spend together, how dif- 
ferent would have been the scene ; instead of merry, light- 
hearted conversation and peals of joyous laughter, the 
sigh and tear. A merciful Providence saves us many 
pangs by withholding from our vision the dark and heart- 
rending scenes through which our pilgrimage lies. At 
the home of Henry Lee, on this eventful season, were as- 
sembled as gay and thoughtless a party as ever met. 
Young men just home from college — in their own estima- 
tion wise politicians — could grasp the future with swift 
vision ; girls home for the holidays — all are discussing the 
probability of war as if only a merry pastime. One 
young lawyer of unusual brilliancy declared he would 
never stop till he planted his flag on the Capitol at Wash- 
ington. The writer of these pages assured him he would 
never do so, yet he really believed, as did many others, 
it was to be the work of a short time. This joyous day 
was rapidly closing, the carriages were being driven to 
the front door as the " good-byes " were being said. An 



48 Virginia : Past and Present. 

old clock that had been for years silent and useless com- 
menced tolling slowly and solemnly. The gay throng of 
thoughtless young people suddenly paused. Was this omi- 
nous? Were the warning spirits telling us this was a 
final " good-bye" to most of that happy group? What- 
ever it was, it had its effect ; the sounds of merriment 
were hushed, and softly, sadly each bade the other fare- 
well, 

" Never to blend in victory's cheer, 
To aid in hour* of woe ; 

'Tis thus bright spirits mingle here, 
Such ties are formed below." 

This was not the last intimation given us that evening. 
As we discussed the singular circumstance of the striking 
the solemn numbers, we were startled by the sound of 
three sharp, decisive strokes, as from a powerful hand, 
on the outside of the second story of the building. We 
gazed at each other .in consternation. Whence came this 
ominous sound ? For what intent ? Ah, the long years 
of weary waiting for the loved " that never comes back 
again," told us at last. There are mysterious things we 
cannot unravel. They fill us with a desire to peep into 
the unknown, which it is hard for us to believe we are 
blessed by being ignorant of. The cloud that hides from our 
view the future is one of the most merciful of our Loving 
Father. What if we could have seen the bleeding and 
torn forms on the cruel battle-fields of the next four years ? 
Our noblest, bravest, and best? Who could have stood 
the shock ? 

Winter gradually merged into spring. The newspa- 
pers at this time filled with views of the benefits of Se- 
cession ; its glorious accompaniments of freedom and 



Virginia : Past and Present. 49 

prosperity. The conservative element shuddered at such 
views with an awful quake of coming dread. What 
were we to gain ? Had we not the most glorious gov- 
ernment on the globe — the admiration and envy of all 
nations? Why dissolve a bond that brought us nothing 
but good? Why cast aside our glorious Confederation 
of States and float, we know not into what condition? 
All was anxiety and suspense in our grand old Mother 
State. Each resolved, be her decision what it might, to 
accept it as her children should, but praying and hoping 
she would "count the cost" before making her choice. 
Henry Lee, who had always been true to the best inter- 
ests of his native State, did not believe that within her 
borders could be found enough of the disrupting politi- 
cal group to bring about a change; but when the news of 
the bombardment of Fort Sumter was heralded it sent a 
pang into his noble heart that crushed all his hopes for a 
peaceful solution of our troubles. The time hung heavily. 
Suspense is awful ; and when our own loyal Mother, Vir- 
ginia, resolved to secede from the Union, her noble sons 
and daughters stood steadfast and true to her. These were 
times that " tried men's souls." How many come out of 
the furnace purified, eternity alone can reveal. It was a 
lovely Sabbath morning ; a holy, peaceful solemnity 
seemed to cast its beams over the quiet solitude of our 
county home — when, hark ! What is that sound that 
bursts on the ear? The firing of cannon is heard afar 
off. The battle of Bethel is being fought. Being dis- 
tant from the railroad, it is a day or two before the news 
is broken to Henry Lee. His once calm and dignified 
countenance changes to one of gloom and unrest. He 
was never the same again. Though patient and unmur- 
4 



50 Virginia : Past and Present. 

muring, his heart was bleeding, and the strain was too 
great long to be borne. There were some who were so 
cruel and false-hearted as to declare that this noble scion, 
of as true stock as ever stood up for our country's rights, 
was disloyal to our Confederacy, and even went so far as 
to say they would appoint a committee to confer with 
him and advise him to leave Virginia's soil. Heaven 
called him to his blissful reward before such cruel threat 
could be put into execution. He peacefully sleeps where 
the roar of artillery can never more disturb, and the 
tongue of venom no more assail. 




CHAPTER VII. 

1862 — was an eventful year with us. It seemed we 
were realizing now what war, with all i + s accompanying 
evils, meant. Shut in by the blockade, many were the 
privations endured by those who had known nothing but 
luxury. Rye coffee, with parched sweet potatoes, was a 
poor substitute for Mocha, but such was the spirit of self- 
denial among our people we were willing to give up 
everything for the purpose of aiding and assisting those 
who were defending our homes. Our coffee was sent to 
our soldiers. We drank " kettle tea," as hot water poured 
on sweet milk is called. Some things we never lacked 
for. Among these rice and sugar ; the supply was 
always equal to the demand. Here we saw the hand 
of our Merciful Father, for the " feeble of the flock " 
would have suffered without these necessaries. 

The bloody fights that took from our firesides that 
summer our brave boys in gray had bowed our heads, 
and crushed our hearts. The widow's story and the bride- 
groom of a few hours, who would not desert his post, 
even for the lovely girl he had just pledged his troth to 
" live together till death do us part," could not be induced 
to apply for a furlough if only for a few days ; alas, never 
to return did numbers of these go forth. When in the 
winter of that year, so many were the difficulties under 
which we labored, that strong men's hearts failed them 
for fear that the end was yet far off. Determination, 
courage, and endurance such as the world never saw 
filled the breasts of our noble ones. Manfully, gloriously 

[51] 



52 Virginia : Past and Present. 

did they stand up, forgetful of self. ' " Duty," the watch- 
word of our legion ; none ever faltered, though torn and 
bleeding he pressed forward, while the life-blood was 
ebbing away, and fell covered with honor, and the cruel 
scars that were hurriedly hidden in the quickly-prepared 
grave — often even unmarked. Yet Heaven knows where 
they lie, and the soft light of the stars keep watch over 
their sleeping forms till the glorious morning when the 
hallowed dust shall awake and assume a garb far more 
beautiful than the one consigned to this lonely, isolated 
spot on the dusty wayside, the wounds all healed, the 
noble brow glorious with the light of immortality, all 
weariness of marching forgotten, no listening for the 
bugle sound calling them from feverish slumbers to haste 
and prepare for battle. 

Eagerly we gathered at the little country post-office to 
await the coming of the daily mail bringing us news from 
our loved ones. The hallowed Christmastide was ap- 
proaching, and we felt there was little to spare, prepar- 
ing for a celebration of that holy season. Our absent 
ones must be remembered, and we did set to work fixing 
up boxes of eatables to send to the army. These boxes 
were sent moistened by our tears and consecrated by our 
prayers. They were the last " many of our boys " ever 
opened. Disease that the cruel hardships incident on 
war had brought on our fragile youth claimed its scores, 
and ere the springtime they were laid to rest, not many 
of them " under the daisies," though now their graves 
are green and adorned with the fairest flowers that 
loving hands can bring on " Decoration Day." Eighteen 
hundred and sixty-three opened with the heavy cloud of 
battle, through which no ray of hope could be discerned ; 



Virginia : Past and Present. 53 

no time for mirth or festivities with those whose hearts 
were in our camps or battle-fields, where, on scanty fare, 
our loved ones were passing the cold wintry day and 
cheerless night. Winter was slowly passing away, and 
the soft, balmy breezes of our beloved Southland fanned 
the fevered brow of the unmurmuring sufferer on his cot 
in the hospital, where gentle woman watched, ministering 
to their wants. Was ever such courage, or did braver heart 
ever beat than that encased often in the rough, bronzed 
frame? A nobler spirit shone forth here than that which 
had dared the deadly shot of the bloody battle-field. The 
lovely month of May was greeted with joy only by the 
thoughtless, innocent child. Our armies were encom- 
passed by foes within and without; the beautiful sun- 
shine and gay blossom of the flowers awaked no chord 
of joy in our too gloomy hearts, and when the news of 
Jackson's fall, wounded by the hand that would have fallen 
palsied ere sending forth that shot, our senses were para- 
lyzed for the time. Our brave, our glorious leader, Stone- 
wall Jackson, no more! Could it be true? Ah! how 
we hoped to hear the report contradicted — " hoping 
against hope " — and the next tidings brought us told of 
his translation to the " home above." He had " passed 
over the river and rested under the shade of the trees." 
His bright vision had caught sight of the glories awaiting 
a life spent in the service of the " Great Captain," and 
he longed for rest and quiet. With Jackson's death our 
hopes were shattered. His earnest prayers, his blameless 
life, and the influence such a life exerted, lost to our 
soldiers, though the memory of that life will live for- 
ever. We had grown to depend on Stonewall's prayers, 
and believed that success would be ours. We never re- 



54 Virginia : Past and Present. 

covered from this blow, and from that time the fate of 
the Confederacy was sealed. When in July of that year 
the awful battle of Gettysburg routed our armies, the 
vast numbers of our best men slain, and scores wounded, 
how we wept and prayed for the end of such carnage. 
It came not according to our wish and desire, yet we were 
to be tried, and torn and bleeding forms yet to be 
brought home to linger and die. Ah, if we could have 
foreseen all this, would we have hastily entered a conflict 
that was to tear from our firesides the widow's hope and 
to walk the weary road of life alone with our little ones, 
helpless and hungry. 

The months dragged along. We who went to the hos- 
pitals to care for our wounded and dying ones were re- 
warded by the sweet consciousness of " doing our duty," 
and the sad lot fell on many of us of writing the last 
messages home for our brave boys who accepted " the in- 
evitable," as the mighty warrior, and was willing to lie 
down, far away from home and kindred, rejoicing in the 
hope of a happy and blissful reunion. The tear will flow 
as these scenes are recalled. Happy are those who know 
not of such heart pangs and bereavements. 

1864 — the bells rang in. Was the tone unusually sad, 
or was it only a freak of fancy that, instead of a joyous 
ring, it was a solemn toll? It cast its shadow over our 
expectant minds ; it could not be shaken off. A gloom, 
settled and heavy, overshadowed all our land. Want be- 
gan to come into houses that hitherto had never known 
the meaning of the word, so far as they were concerned. 
Shoes at $50 and $75 a pair, even if of Confederate 
money, counted up ; hats at $75 and $100, and calico at 
$35 per yard seemed to be taking away our all. Yet we 



Virginia : Past and Present. 55 

managed to live and learn how sublime a thing it is to 
" suffer and be strong." 

Our faithful servants entered into the feelings of their 
owners, and as times grew harder helped to relieve us in 
every way they could. The family at " Lee Hall," the 
home of Henry Lee, of now sainted memory, suffered 
much from the different raids sent across the country for 
horses, provisions, and whatever could be gathered, being 
in the regular line of march to headquarters. Here the 
house-servants saved us much that would have been lost 
but for their vigilance, as the news of the " coming of the 
Yankees " reached them before it did the white people. 
The noble and devoted servant " Davy Lee " (as he called 
himself in the home of his master) hastily hid the bacon 
that would have been taken from the smokehouse, and 
gathered up what articles he could of value, secreting 
them in the orchard so that they were not found. Then, 
in accordance with the promise made his dying master, 
he kept close beside his beloved mistress, never leaving 
the house, and treating the wild, disorderly horde with 
the greatest respect, going with them into the different 
apartments of the large mansion and begging them not 
to deface the furniture. It must be mentioned with what 
honor these same men treated the honored lady of this 
establishment, who kept her seat in her own chamber the 
whole of that eventful day, secretly praying to God, who 
keeps in "His pavilion those who trust in Him." No 
word of profanity was uttered in her presence ; they were 
struck with her dignified bearing, her white locks were 
respected, and as each one of the crowd would pass into 
her room the hat was lifted or touched, with " Good- 
morning, mother," from these reckless men. Such is the 



56 Virginia : Past and Present. 

feeling in every breast for true woman among every race 
and condition of men where civilization has reached 
them. With the passing away from " Lee Hall " of this 
raid went many relics, valued for years, and yet there 
was so much left to be thankful for that no word of re- 
pining was uttered. All our fine horses and mules, except 
the oldest one on the place, left with the raid ; he was 
reserved for further duty, and after "the surrender" sold 
for forty dollars — a good mule where there was none else. 
Our black mammy died while there was so much else 
to sorrow our lives, and to lose one so constant in her de- 
votion to our household was a blow we could not sustain 
just yet. She had been the friend and faithful adviser of 
our early years ; kindness and affection prompted her 
every action. How were we to get along without " mam- 
my " ? We determined to show her the greatest mark of 
respect we had in our power by having in our own house 
her funeral services, thus honoring her memory. And 
here I wish to speak of what occurred in another State of 
the same kind. In Charleston one of the wealthiest citi- 
zens followed to her last resting-place his black "mam- 
my," who after all the family had left for places of safety 
refused to leave the one she had cared for in infancy. 
The funeral was conducted by one of the most prominent 
ministers in the city. In his suit of black, with bowed 
head, on a bleak winter day, he followed to the outskirts 
of the city the remains of his faithful friend and loving 
servant, who, in spite of all the dangers surrounding her, 
had clung to him. What a commentary on the slave- 
owner ! 



CHAPTER VIII. 

"Time the Creator where our judgments err" has 
changed the opinion of many who imagined that every 
slave-owner was a tyrant. Heaven be praised for the 
removal of that curse on our fair land. The summer 
brought raid after raid to our homes, and the approach of 
autumn found us in a pitiable plight — all the stock gone, 
hogs slaughtered, cows too old to be of any use to the 
army, being all, except a few stray pigs that had wisdom 
enough to remain out of sight, were our dependence, and 
yet we did not starve. Our fields, yet untouched by the 
army, yielded us corn enough for bread ; wheat yet un- 
ground in our granaries gave us promise of enough and 
to spare for our poorer neighbors. We were united as 
to our duty to those worse off than ourselves. The hand 
of charity supplied the houses of the poorer classes, as 
in our halcyon days of prosperity. We had never known 
else than liberality, and it is a hard lesson for a true Vir- 
ginian to learn, that self comes first, our poverty-stricken 
neighbors after we are served. 

Winter came, with its bleak winds and sleety weather, 
disaster after disaster coming on us so thick and fast we 
trembled as we thought of the final ending of all this 
misery. God is merciful ; He saw how our heart-strings 
were wrung ; the burden had been borne long enough, 
the " night of weeping " almost ended. The news of the 
fall of Richmond was a trial unlooked for just then, yet 
it showed us what we could endure, as day after day we 

[57] 



58 Virginia: Past and Present. 

would listen to the booming of cannon and roar of artil- 
lery, not knowing which of our beloved ones were fall- 
ing or taken prisoners, a fate to many more horrible than 
death. But when, on April 9th, our indomitable leader 
and noble champion, General R. E. Lee, determined to 
accept the wisest course for our stricken people, we were 
satisfied he had been for us what Moses was to the chil- 
dren of Israel in leading us through the four years' war, 
uncomplaining of the hardships endured by his exalted 
nature, showing a courage and endurance superior to any 
the world can boast. Could we believe he would accept 
or us aught but right? Nay ; verily we were confident of 
the wisdom of his counsels and trusted in his decision. 

Our troubles did not end with the laying down of arms, 
for ere the news of the surrender was received in all por- 
tions of our country, with bowed heads and bursting 
hearts on one side, and songs of exultation and rejoicing 
on the other side of Mason and Dixon's line, the awful 
tragedy at Washington, when the shot of the assassin de- 
prived our land of one of its greatest and best, Abraham 
Lincoln, it seemed our cup of grief was too full for 
poor frail, humanity. That shot deprived us of our hope 
for the time. His great heart and broad mind, above the 
petty prejudices of life, beat only in tenderness towards 
his fellow-men, or devised means to aid and help. For 
us of the South it was the worst blow that could have 
fallen. How he would have grieved over the record of 
the next few months could his vision have scanned the 
future, when, without shadow of reason, innocent men 
and women were strung up and executed with no show 
of mercy. How his sensitive heart would have grieved 
at the sight of such lawlessness in a land whose gates 



Virginia: Past and Present. 59 

are open to the oppressed of all nations. Such is the in- 
evitable consequence of civil war. Our clear-headed, 
wise patriots, who scanned the end of such a conflict, 
would have averted the bloody carnage had their wise 
counsels been heeded ; but God so willed it, that for our 
sins we should suffer. Too exalted in our own minds, the 
rod of correction only could humble us. The capture of 
our chieftain, Jefferson Davis, and the ignominous torture 
to which he was subjected, will long remain a blot on the 
fair page of American history. He was as conscious of 
being in the discharge of his duty as was Abraham 
Lincoln ; the difference was their own ideas of right- 
Time has wonderfully softened us, and we can see now, 
as we could not then, that as well for us as them " God 
did best" in permitting fiery trials to prove us, that we 
might come forth from the " furnace of affliction" refined. 
The horrible blot of slavery forever removed from our 
borders, how much to thank God for in this. 

The change to many was a terrible ordeal to endure. 
The hardships of the southern kitchen, as it was when we 
found ourselves deprived of help, was a lesson too many 
of us shrank from. How could we do such drudgery ? 
Stand over a hot stove in the heat of summer, steaming 
our faces that the sun, in our earlier years, was not al- 
lowed to touch too freely ; go into the gardens, gather 
with the dews yet heavy on them our vegetables ; burn? 
scorch, blister, and worry — all these things we had to en- 
counter during the " days of reconstruction." And here 
we were hard to construct. Our lot appeared a cruel one, 
yet bravely did we strive to stand the privations inflicted 
on us during those days. We of Virginia had not so 
hard a time as our more distant southern sisters. Many 



60 Virginia : Past and Present. 

of our best cooks remained in the country, and numbers 
did not leave the homes they had known all their lives- 
We who were fortunate enough to have such adherents 
were truly thankful. Many of the colored population 
could not realize they were free unless they left the old 
homes and "set up for themselves," but the year of "the 
-surrender" has a most eventful one, and the "gradual 
taking in of the situation " was a thing hardly to be 
looked for; yet the faithful host that had so long borne 
the thraldom of slavery were easily influenced, and where 
the proper mode of acting was advised under the new 
role they easily acquiesced. No revengeful feeling filled 
their breasts only the grand idea of being " free " pos- 
sessed their patient minds ; no more midnight task im- 
posed on frames already wearied with the day's work ; 
no fear of oversleeping, so as not to heed the call to the 
daylight task ; no fear of the lash of the cruel over- 
seer, brutal in his nature and unrelenting in his feel- 
ings. Can we wonder at the glad song that welled 
forth from their throats, so long in bondage, when the 
knowledge that all these evils were forever removed 
was announced to their listening ears and longing 
hearts? Had they not dreamed that the night was 
wearing away, and the day-dawn of freedom approach- 
ing — the hope of years, the " desire of their souls to be ac- 
complished"? Thank Heaven, their shackles are re- 
moved — their rights the same as ours. Citizens, instead of 
servants. Their voice at the ballot-box, and in conven- 
tions, cast side by side with our own. Alas ! that so often 
they are persuaded to believe we are not their staunch 
friends ; that our hearts do not yearn for their advance- 
ment, morally and spiritually. Those of education and 



Virginia : Past and Present. 61 

intelligence believe that now. It was not an easy mat- 
ter at first to think we were willing to adopt them as 
friends of equal rights, under the one glorious govern- 
ment. Suspicion lurked in their untutored minds. They 
could not grasp the idea with its broad meaning. Some- 
thing surely must be wanting to make this clear to their 
comprehension. With all these disadvantages to contend 
with, it has been slow work to be able to instill this be- 
lief; but do not our efforts to educate and elevate them 
prove the truth? Our colleges, in whose walls, made 
sacred by many of our present lives, trying to make 
amends for the evil of past years ; the enforcement of a 
great curse on our land ; we must be, in a measure, re- 
sponsible for the misguided judgment of our forefathers ; 
and in our tasks of being a blessing to those whose lives 
mingled with our own earlier years, we should not shrink, 
but esteem it a grand privilege. Nay, " hand in hand " we 
should rejoice to enter with them through the gates into 
the City, " with garments made white by the blood of the 
Lamb," shed for them as for us. Away with such ridic- 
ulous notion as the author Ariel pretends to believe. Let 
such ideas be left to the lower order of creation ; not man, 
created in the image of God, and His noblest work, 
should condescend to such a level. To elevate and im- 
prove, to civilize, Christianize, and make happier by such 
course, should be our one grand aim. Then, indeed, 
might the awful blot so long resting on us be removed, 
and its page be white with kindly acts and Christ-like 
deeds. Onward and upward, higher and higher may 
our standard be raised, and " our brother in black " be 
made to forget the " days of slavery." 

The first four years after the war were hard ones to 



62 Virginia : Past and Present. 

most of our Southern farmers. With so much of our 
best lands destroyed, no fencing, or any means of protec- 
tion from stock, the farming was not of the old-time 
mode. New ways must be invented, and wise heads 
resorted to the " No Fence Law." Then we could 
begin to see our wasted fields begin to "rejoice and 
blossom as the rose" ; our grasses covering the ground 
made sacred by the tramp of the manly footstep now no 
more to press its soil. Virginia ! the honor of all na- 
tions. Where dwells the heart that can but beat in sym- 
pathy with thy trials? The battle-ground of the four 
years' war ! Where are the people who could have so 
soon recovered from the shock? With hand on the 
plough-handle that never touched it before, our brave 
and loyal sons went forth to till the soil, and rewarded 
they have been, and honored they will be, by the future 
sons and daughters of our beloved State. The luxurious 
living and easy going lives of the years before the war, 
forgotten in the desire and determination to build up the 
houses destroyed and reclaim the waste plantations, toil 
cheerfully endured, and the aristocratic man of former 
years, whose matchless dress and courtly manner made 
him a welcome guest in the mansion of wealth and a de- 
sirable companion everywhere, is in his cotton shirt and 
plough shoes, making the weary round of the long corn 
rows with undaunted spirit, or dropping the tobacco 
plants. At harvest time, with scythe in hand mowing the 
wheat or hay, while the mower stands idle which there 
are not hands to manage, our freedmen's bureau (a 
terror to many for every trivial cause), in some portions 
of the land resorted to. Reconstruction was of slow, 
very slow progress. We of Virginia were favored above 



Virginia : Past and Present. 63 

our more Southern sisters, and there was less of discord 
in our borders than in most of the States south of us. 
We had tasted too severely of trouble and afflictions to 
raise a murmur over slight causes and were not disposed 
to quarrel, though we often felt our rights were ignored, 
being yet under military rule. Time, however miserable 
or joyous, flits by, and we were relieved of much that 
was annoying to proud hearts by the final removal of 
military authority from our borders, and allowed again 
a voice in our own government. Happy those who came 
on after all these "trials and tribulations," for the retro- 
spect is not of a nature to wish to recall. The " carpet bag- 
gers" were dreaded. The darkies sai'd, "they flew down 
South and got their bags full and flopped their wings and 
flew back North again." The promise of a fine mule 
and forty acres of land they hoped for from the time the 
war ended till reconstruction days were over, and finally 
gave up with a better spirit than we might have exhibi- 
ted had we longed and trusted to have our expectations 
realized and suddenly disappointed, or even to have 
lingered, hoping for years the final consummation of 
these desires, to see them die out never to be resurrected. 
It was hard to them, and it was surely a grave mistake 
to hold out such ideas, knowing they could not be ful- 
filled, for many of them, trusting so implicitly to these 
promises, " rested on their oars " for months before they 
could be induced to work at all, and then only by the 
day, so as to keep from actual starvation. Those who 
had sense enough to know that work was the wisest way 
of obtaining a living, ridiculed the too credulous ones, 
and would help them to live above want out of their own 
means. It was not many years before they were willing 



64 Virginia : Past and Present. 

to rent and work lands, on the shares, and in this way 
many became independent and bought farms and stock 
of their own. In many portions of the South to-day 
they are prosperous farmers, many of them with money 
to loan ; their cottages well furnished and neatly kept, 
many posts of honor and trust filled by those who, only 
since the surrender, have learned to read and write. A 
cruel law that, forbidding such knowledge. Many of us 
in Virginia, regardless of such mistaken ideas, taught 
our servants to read and write, and had the gratification 
of seeing them fill places of usefulness after the war was 
over. My own maid (among the number) taught school, 
and her manners were cultivated above the most sanguine 
hopes I had entertained. She never forgot her training ; 
was a model of propriety and gentleness ; her influence 
beneficial in every community where she lived ; to do all 
the good she could, with ardent affection for her " white 
folks," as they called their former owners, and do yet. 
There should never be among us aught but kindness and 
harmony, even if there were no other cause than the tie 
of former years. This of itself appeals to all the finer in- 
stincts of our nature ; let us strive to place them on such 
a platform of honor and knowledge as shall redound to 
our own benefit. We can, and should, cheerfully do this. 
Virginia seemed at this period to be leaving behind her 
remembrance of the past, and, in putting forth every en- 
ergy, to obliterate the marks of the destroyer ; new rail- 
roads built, towns springing up in various portions of the 
State, mining interests attracting the attention of the 
capitalist, and the rough mountain country we had for 
years passed through, not knowing of the immense stores 
of wealth hidden deep down in the earth, bringing us in 



Virginia : Past and Present. 65 

stores of revenue never dreamed of in our wildest specu- 
lation for the future ; nay, the path of the destroyer, of 
which he boasted he " would leave it so poor a crow 
would not fly over it," has sprung up into a valley of 
beauty, the loveliness of which is unsurpassed ; its moun- 
tains of strength shielding on all sides the flourishing vil- 
lages where busy hands work from " morn till dewy 
eve," satisfied that theirs is the happiest of all homes ; 
abundant fields of wheat greet the eye, hay of the finest 
growth, while peacefully on the hills the bleating of the 
lambs and neighing of horses, beautiful in form and " fleet 
of foot," give no token of the gloomy past ; nay, that 
abyss is spanned by the " Bow of Promise," " brotherly 
love " ; henceforth a nation united and strong as the rock 
of Gibraltar in its union, no more the besom of discord 
to divide those drawn together by such bonds. What 
nation like ours on the globe? Of all peoples have not 
we cause to rejoice in the strength and durability of 
our Constitution? " Our Declaration of Independence" 
to shine forth in all ages, proving the wisdom and faith 
of its founders ; its base so broad and walls so high as to 
render it impenetrable, the shot and shell of dissolution 
to fall only as the mist falls or the snowflake on the river, 
and in the cloudless sky of security and peace its lofty 
head stands revealed, smiling in the sunshine of a Fath- 
er's love. Blessed, thrice blessed, are we ; and should we 
not as a nation honor and serve the Lord in keeping His 
commandments? remembering the "Sabbath Day" to 
keep it holy? that we may not only honor our Father in 
Heaven, but become ourselves an honor among all na- 
tions, and kindred, and tongues? 



CHAPTER IX. 

It is a sad fact that we have degenerated from the old- 
time customs. Our grandfathers and mothers set us an 
example worthy to be followed ; this we should have ad- 
hered to instead of seeking out new paths and adopting 
the fashionable custom of Sabbath breaking. The day 
that was formerly spent as a holy day is now of all the 
week in many localities a holiday. " Base-ball," " ten- 
nis," and every known amusement indulged in in some 
of our largest cities. This is an open thing, no fear of 
being disturbed by an officer of the "Sunday law." 
Open saloons, the " entrance gate" to the lower regions, 
where yearly many of our noblest and honored are drawn 
by cruel cords, irresistible, it seems, in its coils. The 
brilliant and scholarly, that might adorn the first posi- 
tions in the land, when once its fetters are established 
become in intellect incapable of filling such places of 
honor, and instead of carrying out the high hopes centered 
in them by fond parents and true friends, descend to the 
lowest depths of degradation and misery. Whiskey, the 
curse of mankind in this favored land, has ever thus 
claimed those who " might have been " mighty by their 
learning and eloquence. Shun the wine cup, young man, 
as you would the viper's dart. When once indulged in, 
how hard to resist. Let it be our desire to leave behind 
us a name unsullied by such reproach; a name whose 
memory can call forth the love and admiration of our 
fellow-men. 'Tis true 

"Ambition is a meteor's gleam, 
Fame a restless idle dream," 

[66] 



Virginia: Past and Present. 67 

but no walk in life is too narrow to keep down the fire of 
genius if once its flame is enkindled in the human breast. 
Consider the honest blacksmith, cultivated in learning by 
his own studious efforts, even when striking the anvil 
the lofty intellect busy, leaving a name long to be honored 
and revered. The boatman, the ploughman, all stations 
have had their noble men. God bestows on us talent ; 
how wise those who cultivate and improve — those who 
by constant, vigilant effort endeavors to attain success are 
always rewarded. Strive for eminence ; don't be satis- 
fied with an ordinary place. Desire and determination 
accomplish much. 

" Truth is stranger than fiction." Suppose Abraham 
Lincoln, while mauling rails in the wilderness, by a glance 
into the future could have seen the position he should one 
day fill as the most honored our people can bestow on 
her favored ones, would he have thrown down his ax, and, 
seated on the log, have indulged in flights of fancy ? Nay ; 
the principle of " duty " was so firmly implanted in his 
breast, he would not have stopped his task to indulge in 
such visions. By diligence and sturdy industry, he plod- 
ded the weary road of daily labor, and when at last his 
dream of ambition is fulfilled, how great must have been 
the satisfaction felt by the knowledge of having done 
his duty ; and, with a name untarnished, he sleeps the last 
dreamless sleep, honored, revered and loved for a life spent 
in the effort to benefit and make better all who came un- 
der its influence. 

"Oh, Time! beautifier of the dead, 
Adorner of the ruin ; comforter 
And only healer when the heart hath bled," 

how much thou hast accomplished in wiping away the 
scars and covering up the deficiencies of our judgments. 



68 Virginia : Past and Present. 

The year 1870 was one of great grief to our beloved 
State in the sudden taking away from his place of use- 
fulness our beloved General R. E. Lee. A life spent in 
the service of his country ; his arm lifted for her defence 
in the hour of need ; his wise and prudent counsel ; his 
unblemished^life of " kindly acts and knightly deeds " ; 
above all, the example of his Christian life, the ennobling 
influence over the youth and young men of Washington 
College (now bearing his own immortal name), will live 
after the war record of his life has faded away as the 
mist from the mountain. That will shine through the 
the ages yet to come. Thrice blessed they who have that 
heritage which the wealth of Golconda cannot purchase. 
Influence of character is immortal. A life unending is 
theirs whose example of purity and loftiness is left un- 
touched by aught that can tarnish. A noble, precious 
legacy to our State is thus bequeathed by her honored 
son ; and may it ever be remembered by her sons and 
daughters, that they can claim a portion in the inherit- 
ance bestowed on us by such a life ; our highest ambition 
to copy that example. 

The seat of his latest and best efforts is held in sacred 
reverence, no hand worthy to touch that last held in his ; 
no one dare remove from its position the articles placed 
there by him. Step softly, and with bowed head, on such 
hallowed spot. Thank God that Virginia has such a list 
of names, which only grow brighter as time wings it 
flight. That of Lee, side by side with Washington, will 
emit its luster with a brighter and fairer glow, and de- 
scend to future generations as pure and unsullied — hon- 
ored, revered, beloved. Our State could ill afford to lose 
her son. The eventful period succeeding the war had 



Virginia : Past and Present. 69 

been made less unbearable by the lesson of patience and 
forbearance taught us by him. We we're for a time as a 
vessel on the high seas, tossed and driven by cruel winds 
and pitiless rains, our helmsman gone ; no hand to guide 
us through the breakers. Dark and dismal the prospect 
ahead of us ; yet the " light in the cloud " betokened the 
better time coming, and harsh judgment and cruel words 
became exchanged for kind feeling and less severity of judg- 
ment. We were approaching a loftier plain, a more healthy 
atmosphere, where mankind in his real character could en- 
joy other sights and scenes than making his fellow mourn. 

" Man's inhumanity to man 

Makes countless thousands mourn." 

We had suffered long and severely, but we were now 
at the end of the trials and difficulties of the past few 
years, and better understood by our former opponents. 
Friendship and good feeling makes the heart light, and 
we who had been chastened and refined by our afflictions 
were softened into humility and forgiveness. Had not 
they, too, suffered — their best and truest taken by our 
darts, as ours by theirs? Was it not better to " forgive 
and forget " ? And so we began anew the lesson of love 
and trust, obliterating the dark record and looking for- 
ward to a glorious future — our homes and firesides open 
to all ; none excluded on account of difference of opinion. 
" Agreeing to disagree," we can discuss as we could not 
twenty-five years ago our political faith, no rash utter- 
ance to wound or anger, all united in one grand object, 
the " good of our fellow-men," to establish wise measures 
and solid means of promoting the public weal. " Behold 
how good and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to 
dwell together in unity." 



CHAPTER X. 

How different the scene of to-day compared with that 
of thirty years ago. Our fair land then weltering in the 
blood of her own noble sons ; now all is calm and peace- 
ful. Our great World's Fair at Chicago, bringing to our 
country hosts from all lands ; astonished they are at our 
wonderful progress, finding that here in the New World we 
are side by side with the old — our buildings massive and 
grand, our displays of art wonderful. Can we not claim the 
most renowned sculptor of the day — aye, he who ren- 
ders the marble life-like and true ? All honor to Valentine. 
Here in America they find the marks of a broad and 
noble philanthropy. Where can we find one who studied 
the good of his fellow-beings as our own beloved and 
revered Corcoran. The grand art gallery at Washington 
and the beautiful Louise Home are monuments to his 
memory, fadeless and lasting ; Cyrus Field, Stanford, 
McCormick, and hosts of others. Where had there been 
seen another Edison? Aye, well may we lift our heads 
with pride as we call over the record of honored and 
worthy names. Such lives are immortal ; 'round their 
memory center pure and holy thoughts. Compared to the 
mighty warrior or statesmen, they shine with as great lus- 
tre, with perhaps less to mar the brightness. Virginia 
now shows as great a record as any State in point of 
growth for the last few years, although the heart of the 
old-time Virginian feels that the customs of former years 
are passing away, and soon will be only a memory of 
" 4 what has been " ; yet they are too proud of the advance- 
ment of our grand old mother to spend the time in useless 

[70] 



Virginia : Past and Present. 71 

repining, but accept the modern innovations with beau- 
tiful manner, and bid our progressive ones "God speed." 
Of course the "Virginia of the past" will linger in the 
affections of the elder ones, but the present has its attrac- 
tions here for those who dwell much in the past. Our 
onward progress in all schools of learning is a most 
worthy and noticeable fact. From all portions of the 
country students come to our seminaries and colleges ; the 
standard is high, the discipline good, the managers of 
such institutions reliable and conscientious men and 
women, with a high order of talent and faithful to duty. 
We are rejoiced to note the change, for years ago all our 
youth were sent away from home to be taught; now we 
can offer the same advantages to others. Our old and 
renowned schools, where so many of the first men of the 
nation were taught, are still full of busy workers. Old 
William and Mary, where there exists so much to remind 
us of her former greatness, is arising from the cruel deso- 
lation of war and taking her place again with the high 
standard and unblemished record of former years. Could 
the departed note the change, how would they view it? 
Such men as Judge Beverly Tucker the renowned jurist, 
or Robert Saunders, Millington Minnigerode, whose 
names were an honor to any institution, could they view 
with pleasure or pain the change? — those halcyon days, 
when old Williamsburg was indeed the seat of culture 
and refinement, lovely women and courtly men, the at- 
traction of the country was she indeed. Shall we admit 
that her greatness has departed? Nay ; verily, the " seed " 
planted by her former sons and daughters, though it may 
have lain dormant for years, is coming into life resolute 
and determined. 



72 Virginia : Past and Present. 

The honored record of former years shall be the incen- 
tive to push her best energies until there shall be enrolled, 
side by side with former honored ones names that will 
descend to posterity alike beloved and revered. So 
much that is hallowed and endeared to every true Vir- 
ginian lingers around dear old Williamsburg. What a 
delight to her sons and daughters, should her present im- 
proved condition present. Along the James river in 
lower Virginia, where the homes of her most noted sons 
have fallen into decay, there are to-day signs of deter- 
mined resolution to build up and reclaim. They shall 
not fall away ; the very bricks are hallowed, and should 
be preserved and put to use. So all through the James 
River Valley, where wealth held sway in the years before 
the war, are there to be seen improvements — the immense 
farms utilized, divided into smaller ones, and yielding 
their owners more than when cultivated by slaves. Beau- 
tiful mansions overlook these farms, where refinement 
and intelligence exists, satisfied with home and its 
quiet surroundings. Only an occasional glance into the 
busy world abroad is indulged in. The great locomotive 
with its freight continually passing, and the solitude of 
the hills broken by the steam whistle, where in the years 
gone by our dear old canal-boats slowly and majestically 
passed ; the genial and accommodating conductors stop- 
ping anywhere and everywhere along the banks of the 
canal to put off or take on passengers. A sigh will escape 
as the dear, happy old days come up. The associations 
connected with their memory is endeared by the sweet- 
est recollections, whose picture, saddened and shadowed, 
casts a sudden light over the pathway of many of us to- 
day, for all that went to make life happy is connected 



Virginia: Past and Present. 73 

with'the old James River and Kanawha canal-boat days — 
days whose memory will live with the older residents 
while time lasts. Too happy, too fleeting, yet in the 
present day the easy transportation along the same line 
is, to the younger people, more attractive ; the trip that 
took days to accomplish now made in a few hours. Rip 
Van Winkle, awake from thy slumbers and behold ! 

Richmond city, always the pride of our State, not only 
on account of its natural beauty and the remembrance of 
her honored sons and daughters of the past, stands to- 
day unrivalled. Her rapid strides in the past few years 
have been astonishing. The great energy and sturdy in- 
dustry of her working population ; the wise management 
of her banks, her merchants, her men of all classes and 
positions, has brought her to the front. Here a stranger 
may rest assured of kind treatment and polite attention. 
Her hotels and boarding-houses the first. Nowhere are 
there more quiet, orderly servants, every wish of the vis- 
itor attended to with alacrity and precision. Home-like 
and pleasant is made the stay of all who stop for a day 
or a month, and many are the objects of interest to be 
seen about the city. Attractive parks, beautified by na- 
ture as well as art ; and one, adored above all others, where 
Lee's bronze figure stands — a sacred monument his great 
deeds and pure life called into remembrance, and related 
to the little child, gazing at the life-like figure as it prat- 
tles the name endeared by every tie to his State. Ah, 
who would not choose such a record? — a name now hon- 
ored in all parts of this land, a life so far above that of 
almost any other man in its lofty example, its unstained 
and spotless integrity, devotion to every honorable cause, 
that makes men wiser and better ; aye, the name of 



74 Virginia : Past and Present. 

Robert E. Lee stands first in the heart of every Virginian. 
Such a character is not the heritage of many States. True, 
others have been honored by men of lofty and distin- 
guished intellect; but where lived the man with so many 
desirable traits as Lee? Only one generation could pro- 
duce such. We look in vain for his equal. May his man- 
tle fall on some honored scion of Virginia, that the com- 
ing generation may have cause to rejoice in such noble 
exhibition of all that is honorable, manly, and pure. The 
State Capitol is to every son and daughter of Virginia a 
spot endeared and revered. On its beautiful square stands 
the finest equestrian statue of Washington in the world. 
Around the monument are those whose names are immortal. 
Henry, a prominent figure, whose eloquence was unsur- 
passed. How much we of Virginia can boast of int he sons 
and daughters brought up in her borders ! Let not the fire 
of Henry's genius die out, or the eloquence of Randolph. 
Make mention of it to our children ; give it prominence 
in our histories of Virginia ; let the names of those of 
which any land might well be proud to claim be cher- 
ished and their lives be endeared to our children of future 
generations. Such patriotism as Henry's can never be 
forgotten by the State. A monument more enduring 
than marble are the words, "Give me liberty or give me 
death ! " That sentence of itself would have carried his 
name to posterity. Marshall, the clear-headed, renowned 
lawyer; how grand in 'his simplicity of character, the 
child-like manner, the equable temperament, the beautiful 
and lovely home life of such a man of genius and talent, 
can but be full of interest to all who claim Virginia as 
home ; so much that is ennobling to copy in such a life. 
A pure legacy he gave to Virginia by such living testi- 



Virginia : Past and Present. 75 

mony of the truth he professed. The greatest men have 
been those who accept the " plan of salvation " as laid 
down by our Saviour. They are wisest and their lives 
are a benediction. " Godliness is profitable," &c. Rich- 
mond on the James, purified by her past sufferings, looks 
forward to the time when all such recollections shall be 
obscured by the -calm of a peace which "shall flow as a 
river." A number of the older people are yet living too 
much in the past. When we see other homes, where the 
children and grandchildren meet to celebrate happy pe- 
riods, the thought will spring up, " What would my home 
be to-day but for the four years' war? " My bright boy, 
too young and fragile to know the hardships of a sol- 
dier's life, but with the courage of an older soldier, left all 
the loving attractions of home for the battle-field, where he 
laid his beautiful head beside the mossy stream, never to 
arise until the glad morning of that glorious day, when, 
awoke with life immortal, he will greet his mother again. 
The missile of death pierced that lovely brow while per- 
haps dreaming of the embrace of loved ones at home. 
Look beyond the pains and alarums of that conflict to the 
Home where the " weary are at rest," and let the Com- 
forter fill the heart with the " oil of consolation " and the 
balm of a perfect peace, chastened, but trusting in the 
love of the Eternal. 

Our streets to-day filled with happy hearts, glad and 
rejoicing in the comfort and prosperity of homes that are 
beautiful in their ample proportions ; our yards and 
grounds laid out with taste and care ; fountains throwing 
up the glad spray of the clear water into the sunlight; 
lovely flowers blooming all seasons. What lack we yet? 
Have we not all the natural advantages of a great, a 



76 Virginia : Past and Present. 

glorious city? Have we not the men and the means to 
push her into the front ranks of the mechanical and agri- 
cultural cities of the continent? There we have foun- 
dries for moulding our finest plows. The Tredegar Iron- 
Works, of wide reputation, reliable and strong in their 
might, command the admiration of the country for the 
wise management and just treatment of its employees. 
The flour mills, owned by Richmond men, supply many 
markets with a fine grade of flour, pure and wholesome. 
Are not the markets unsurpassed? Of all nations have 
we not cause to be glad and rejoice? Our climate and 
soil superior to any other ; a greater diversity of both 
than almost any other State can boast. Our advantages 
are of the finest — rivers, railroads, and competent and 
affable managers of these means of transportation. We 
can well lift up our heads to-day with confidence and 
security. 




CHAPTER XL 

Old Point Comfort, with its grand hotel and fine bath 
arrangements, is the resort of the best people from all 
portions of our country. Fortress Monroe stands secure 
and quiet, confident of her power to resist the intruder. 
Hampton with its National Soldiers' Home, a great at- 
traction to the tourist. What a grand, a gigantic monu- 
ment to the Government of America ; the disabled and 
helpless cared for with the comforts of a home life; 
grounds of loveliness and beauty. Mementoes, on all 
sides, of those who fell in battle, are held in reverence 
and tended with love ; the hungry are fed, the needy clad, 
and comforts bestowed on all its dependent ones. A 
library and its pleasant situation, the resort of those who 
wish to spend quiet hours either with books or papers in 
many languages, is free to all who care to avail them- 
selves of its advantages. Church and theatre, " saint and 
sinner" can find places suited to their feelings and tastes. 
Our hotels on the coast resorted to by the gay and light- 
hearted, the dance and the exhilarating sport of boating, 
each claims its scores. What would the spirits of the 
departed utter could they tell us of their astonishment 
as they behold the changes time has wrought? — the mag- 
nificent steamer where our ancestors rowed the canoe, the 
luxurious pullman sleeper taking the place of the cum- 
bersome old stage coach, with its lumbering wheels and 
dusty seats, though to an old-timer full of tender remem- 
brances of the " days forever gone." In communication 
with every portion of the world is Norfolk — her steam- 

[ 77] 



78 Virginia : Past and Present. 

ers known " o'er the wide waters " ; to her can be brought 
in brief space of time valuable cargo from foreign ports, 
when she in return can ship the " staff of life " to other 
lands. What should be the condition of a State with so 
many advantages? Homes are offered to the oppressed 
and needy — free homes. Here, too, can the outcast of 
other lands find employment ; here can they find those 
who by words of entreaty would lead them to the "bet- 
ter land " and bid them look higher for reward of pure 
lives and honest deeds. The glorious record of the 
past — the lives of those who remind us 

" We can make our lives sublime" — 

is a grand incentive to us of the present age in Virginia. 
Our firesides have been a refuge to the wandering and 
homeless, our tables spread with plenty for the hungry 
poor, and our tears of sympathy for the afflicted and suf- 
fering. Let the same spirit which filled the breasts of 
our honored parents animate their children to the re- 
motest generations ; make our lives to those coming 
after us as were the lives of our predecessors to us. Let 
us leave behind us nothing to mar the bright and pre- 
cious example of well-spent lives, that we may be an 
honor and source of pride, as were those gone before to 
us. Virginia ! hallowed, chastened, refined, may thy 
future be far brighter than the past; may nothing unholy 
find foothold on thy sacred soil, and in the coming years 
thy record be that of a State 

" Whose God is the Lord." 



JUM 6 1908 



